WSJ Writer Gives Out His Twitter Password.. It Doesn't End Well

Christopher Mims tries to prove a point about internet security

With technology such an integral part of our lives, and concerns over our security ever increasing, two-factor authentication (a numerical code texted to your phone, or generated by an app) has become standard for almost every social network. In fact, it’s become so important that WSJ writer Christopher Mims believes that, due to the two step authentication step, passwords have been rendered invalid.

To prove this theory, Mims put his own, actual Twitter password up on the WSJ, (which, ironically, you need a password to read), stating that “knowing [it] won’t help you hack [my Twitter account], however” as “I’m publishing my password to make a point: The password is finally dying, if we want it to”.

But unsurprisingly, Mim’s statement didn’t stop people trying. Word spread like wildfire and every time somebody attempted, Mims got a text message with a verification code… 2 text messages a minute to be precise. As well as the public broadcasting of his full phone number, beginning with its 301 Maryland area code, which quickly became “out of service”. Shocking, really.

Although, if it offers any consolation, Mim’s Twitter is still yet to be hacked. Even if he did have to get a new phone. So what have we learnt from all this? Well kids, don’t post your passwords on social networks. It probably won’t end very well...

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